Best mid-tier component speakers to buy?

[xtracrispy]

So, I have a GX and noted that the sound is pretty bad since they deleted the stock front tweeters, which resulted in a very boomy sound with no mid/high range sound.

I was thinking of either adding a small set of tweets alone, or go the whole way and buy a set of components.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a brand that would sound crisp and clear for vocals/imaging? Supreme bass is not my concern anymore.

So far I was looking into the Infinity reference / kappa series, or Alpine type-S which are on sale for just $100 at futureshop.

Any others?
Thanks

[Kappa]

sub im looking to do the same thing.. but i have an 08 and i think the kappas are the speaker of choice or thats what i have heard

[xtracrispy]

Well Crutchfield keeps telling me that they won't fit due to a shallow depth, and I'm not sure how much room we can squeeze back by using spacer blocks.. hrm

[sube]

I have a 2010 Gt sport, and I have the front speakers spaced out on a one inch spacer with no fitment problems.

Pat.

[Skip]

I ordered a set of Kappa's and I'll let you know how they fit..should get them in by Monday. have you seen the prices on amazon.com? Its a shame they won't ship to Canada.

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-6809CS--Inch-Two-Way-Speakers/dp/B00190XTLM/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1316731088&sr=8-14

But yeah I'm hoping the install goes ok, i'm a noob with the drill

[aris]

I bought these a while back and te sound is amazing

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/fff44829.jpg

[Kumar_1]

I got the same speakers. There actually freaking amazing man :D


I bought these a while back and te sound is amazing

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/fff44829.jpg

[xtracrispy]

Really???
I guess future shop messed up their install.. it's like impossible to listen to a speaker there since everything is buzzing and hitting each other in the boxes lol.

I found a pretty good deal on a set of Kappas plus an amp for under $400... and they ship to Canada!!

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_39511_Infinity-60.9cs-62.9i-Kappa-Speakers-FREE-RE-Audio-XTX-800.4-Amplifier.html

[runner2k]

I would go with Focal 130VR.

http://www.sebastoautoradio.net/images/produits/20081101184133.jpg

[xtracrispy]

Funny that you mention the Focals... I just came back from listening a bunch of speakers, and the Focals were fantastic!

My personal preference is for clarity / mid-high definition, and they were really good. Was going to get the 6.5" Focal Access components, but they are still pricey..

I did back-to-back tests and every $300 just brings you more vocal-range goodness lol. The coaxials were bad though; for some reason they completely lacked the bass of the components.

[runner2k]

That is what I had installed on my car and I got 3rd place on a Championship pretty much like IASCA.

I had instested around $3k and I won agains't $20K.

HU Clarion DXZ785 (3-way and T.A)
JL Audio amplifier dedicated for the Focal 130VR.
RCA Canare GS-6 cable + Connectors F-09 (I did it. DIY)
Very small mono amplifier for the sub 200wrms.
10" JL audio sub.

I will post a pic later if I find it.

[xtracrispy]

What's your view on the 6.5" Access?

From what I could tell, the pricier models definitely had discrete improvements in vocal "forwardness", but if the drivers are inherently good I wonder if I can equalize them forward to compensate.

What worried be at first was the high-frequency 4.5khz crossover for the tweets and the aluminum domes. On paper they should have been harsh but in person it just sounded good.... there goes all my research out the window

[xtracrispy]

And also, for the price, the Alpine type-S 6.5" coaxials also sounded preeeettttyyy good as an OEM replacement.

Sure, there are better speakers out there. But for $100 flat they are such a good value.

[runner2k]

Focal access is entry-level, good component set buy I would never buy it. Focal Polyglass (VR) is better than Focal Access line. I really liked my 130 VR. They were settled on a 10 liters fiberglass box. Amazing sound, amazing bass, amazing mid. The tweeter is very good as well.

So, focal has 4 models:

1) Utopia Be (Hi-Fi)
2) K2 Power (Hi-Fi)
3) Polyglass (Hi-end)
4) Access (Entry-level)

[xtracrispy]

*geek cap on*

So I compared the frequency response charts of the Polyglass vs. the Access lines, and it appears that the sensitivities and flatness are very comparable between the two. However, the polyglass has an extended range of about 2000 hz more than the Access on the high end; it crosses 90 db at 9khz, vs 7khz for the lower end model. That would explain why they sound "brighter" than the cheaper model.

That being said.. I went around the web and found some very cheap sources for OEM or discontinued Focal drivers, the idea being that I should be able to just buy an adjustable crossover and higher-end tweeters to go with.
Check this out: http://www.zalytron.com/

I see a special on 6 drivers for only $90! They have specs similar to the current polyglass line; I figure cross over at 4 khz with these, and with a QTS value of around 0.58 it might actually be ok for door/free air applications...
Any input?

[Hoodzy]

I got the same speakers. There actually freaking amazing man :D

Sorry noob question. For these alpine speakers shown above are these just stock replacements?? I don't need an amp to run these correct?? Also can I upgrade all of my vehicles speakers with aftermarkets without an amp? Or is that pointless?

[aris]

Sorry noob question. For these alpine speakers shown above are these just stock replacements?? I don't need an amp to run these correct?? Also can I upgrade all of my vehicles speakers with aftermarkets without an amp? Or is that pointless?
I never used a amp for these speakers... The sound is 100x better then stock
Stock ones

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/97902d5a.jpg
And alpine ones... They are a direct replacement
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/aa546511.jpg

[Hoodzy]

There are 6 speakers correct? Can I replace all of them with the correct alpine sizes?

[Mitchell3]

:) Interested in whats suggested here as well. Driver side speaker nicely blown lol certain notes sound SO bad

[aris]

There are 6 speakers correct? Can I replace all of them with the correct alpine sizes?

My car only has 4 speakers (each door)

6x8 is actual size but 5x7 works too (same size)

[Sonic31]

At the moment I am runnin 6x8 Kicker DX Components in the front and coaxials in the back. I bought these as interim speakers while I save up for a nicer set, but for $220 shipped for both sets to my door, they sound pretty sweet.

If you don't plan on amping your speakers, and you are running the stock HU, try not to get anything with too high of an RMS rating. The stock stereo is probably putting out about 12 watts RMS per channel at the most and attaching a 100 watt speaker to that is just throwing money out the window. With the speakers only getting about 10% of their available power it's ability to produce sound will be compromised. Admittedly it will probably sound better than stock, but you will be getting nowhere near it's full range of sound.

With an aftermarket deck putting out about 18-22 watts RMS per channel, speakers with something in the 60 watt RMS range is probably more than enough.

[ElectroJay]

My car only has 4 speakers (each door)

6x8 is actual size but 5x7 works too (same size)

I'm interested. The stock speakers on my 2011 GS don't sound too great

[Hoodzy]

Would these be much better?? Originally 170 now on sale for 100 bucks!?
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/infinity-reference-6-x-8-5-x-7-2-way-car-speaker-6832cf/10121784.aspx?path=0f8c381f05da02c886c92645f486a6d 3en02

[aris]

I'm interested. The stock speakers on my 2011 GS don't sound too great

You will notice a huge difference in sound..

[aris]

Would these be much better?? Originally 170 now on sale for 100 bucks!?
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/infinity-reference-6-x-8-5-x-7-2-way-car-speaker-6832cf/10121784.aspx?path=0f8c381f05da02c886c92645f486a6d 3en02

Looks like a good deal... Just make sure they fit in... Ask the install guy at future shop if it will have enough space to fit in...

[xtracrispy]

I listened to those at futureshop myself and didn't like them very much; perhaps their setup was poor, but they were way too sharp sounding and hurt my head.

That being said, things to look for while looking for drop-in replacements are a high sensitivity rating since our decks don't have much power.
The infinity's are great in this regard, as anything above 90dB should be good.

Also, the 2011 GS should have tweeters up near the door mirrors... so what you'd want to buy are "component" sets with separate tweeters, rather than coaxial ones with the tweeters stuck down low with the speakers in the door.

[ElectroJay]

Would these be much better?? Originally 170 now on sale for 100 bucks!?
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/infinity-reference-6-x-8-5-x-7-2-way-car-speaker-6832cf/10121784.aspx?path=0f8c381f05da02c886c92645f486a6d 3en02

Awesome find and it's the ideal size! :O Only one day left for the sale, though. Not much time to decide (then again, you could always buy 'em and return 'em later)




You will notice a huge difference in sound..
I bet :D

[Hoodzy]

Oh crap.. ya I think I'll go check them out tomorrow.. they are only .4cm larger than the alpines.. but yah have to double check!